croak / krōk/ • n. a deep hoarse sound made by a frog or a crow. ∎  a sound resembling this, esp. one made by a person.• v. [intr.] 1. (of a frog or crow) make a characteristic deep hoarse sound. ∎  (of a person) make a similar sound when speaking or laughing: “Thank you,” I croaked. ∎ archaic prophesy evil or misfortune, esp. unjustifiably and to the irritation of others.2. inf. die: he finally croaked in 1987. ∎  [tr.] kill (someone).

croak vb. XVI. Preceded by synon. †crok (XIII), with similar imit. formations, viz. OE. cræccettan, ME. †crake (XIV). †creke (see CREAK), †crouk (XIV), †craik (XV).